Voip service threshold determination by wireless router

ABSTRACT

A wireless router establishes a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that supports wireless communications within a WLAN service area. The wireless router establishes broadband communications via a broadband connection with a Voice over IP (VoIP) service accumulator. The wireless router receives a query from the VoIP service accumulator requesting information regarding the prior servicing of, or ability to service, VoIP calls by the wireless router. In response, the VoIP service accumulator receives information regarding the prior servicing of, or ability to service, VoIP calls. The wireless router and the VoIP service accumulator subsequently service VoIP calls within the WLAN based upon the information regarding the prior servicing of, or ability to service, VoIP calls by the wireless router.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility patentapplication which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent applicationfor all purposes:

-   1. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/127,692, entitled “VoIP    Service Threshold Determination by Home Wireless Router,” (Attorney    Docket No. BP3634C1), filed May 27, 2008, pending, which claims    priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the    following U.S. Utility patent application which is hereby    incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of    the present U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes:-   a. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/858,232, entitled “VoIP    Service Threshold Determination by Home Wireless Router,” (Attorney    Docket No. BP3634), filed Jun. 1, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.    7,382,791, on Jun. 3, 2008.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to Wireless Local Area Networks(WLANs); and more particularly to the servicing of Voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP) communications by WLANs.

BACKGROUND

Communication technologies that link electronic devices in a networkedfashion are well known. Examples of communication networks include wiredpacket data networks, wireless packet data networks, wired telephonenetworks, wireless telephone networks, and satellite communicationnetworks, among other networks. These communication networks typicallyinclude a network infrastructure that services a plurality of clientdevices. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is probably thebest-known communication network that has been in existence for manyyears. The Internet is another well-known example of a communicationnetwork that has also been in existence for a number of years. Thesecommunication networks enable client devices to communicate with oneanother other on a global basis. Wired Local Area Networks (wired LANs),for example, Ethernets, are also quite common and support communicationsbetween networked computers and other devices within a serviced area.Wired LANs also often link serviced devices to Wide Area Networks andthe Internet. Each of these networks is generally considered a “wired”network, even though some of these networks, for example, the PSTN, mayinclude some transmission paths that are serviced by wireless links.

Wireless networks have been in existence for a relatively shorterperiod. Cellular telephone networks, wireless LANs (WLANs), andsatellite communication networks, among others, are examples of wirelessnetworks. Relatively common forms of WLANs are IEEE 802.11a networks,IEEE 802.11b networks, and IEEE 802.11g networks, referred to jointly as“IEEE 802.11 networks.” In a typical IEEE 802.11 network, a wiredbackbone couples to a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs), eachof which supports wireless communications with computers and otherwireless terminals that include compatible wireless interfaces within aserviced area. The wired backbone couples the WAPs of the IEEE 802.11network to other networks, both wired and/or wireless, and allowsserviced wireless terminals to communicate with devices external to theIEEE 802.11 network.

WLANs provide significant advantages when servicing portable devicessuch as portable computers, portable data terminals, and other devicesthat are not typically stationary and able to access a wired LANconnection. However, WLANs provide relatively low data rate service ascompared to wired LANs, for example, IEEE 802.3 networks. Currentlydeployed wired LANs provide up to one Gigabit/second bandwidth andrelatively soon, wired LANs will provide up to 10 Gigabit/secondbandwidths. However, because of their advantages in servicing portabledevices, WLANs are often deployed so that they support wirelesscommunications in a service area that overlays with the service area ofa wired LAN. In such installations, devices that are primarilystationary, for example, desktop computers, couple to the wired LANwhile devices that are primarily mobile, for example, laptop computers,couple to the WLAN. The laptop computer, however, may also have a wiredLAN connection that it uses when docked to obtain relatively higherbandwidth service.

Other devices may also use the WLAN to service their communicationneeds. One such device is a WLAN phone, for example, an IEEE 802.11phone that uses the WLAN to service its voice communications. The WLANcommunicatively couples the IEEE 802.11 phone to other phones across thePSTN, other phones across the Internet, other IEEE 802.11 phones, and/orto other phones via various communication paths. IEEE 802.11 phonesprovide excellent voice quality and may be used in all areas serviced bythe WLAN. Typically, the IEEE 802.11 phones support a Voice overInternet Protocol (VoIP) application. Thus, hereinafter, IEEE 802.11phones may be also referred to as WLAN VoIP terminals.

Significant problems exist, however, when using a WLAN to support VoIPcalls. Because WLANs typically service both VoIP calls and datacommunications, the WLAN may not have sufficient wireless capacity tosatisfy the low-latency requirements of the voice communication. Thewireless capacity limitations are oftentimes exacerbated by channelaccess rules imposed in many IEEE 802.11 installations. Further, roamingwithin a WLAN (between WAPs) can introduce significant gaps in service,such gaps in service violating the low-latency requirements of the voicecommunication.

Wireless routers oftentimes service WLANs (serve as Wireless AccessPoints (WAPs)) within a residential setting. The wireless routerstypically couple to the Internet via a cable modem or other broadbandconnection. The cable modem network capacity, however, is shared by arelatively large number of users and the availability of capacity toservice communications between the wireless router and the Internetvaries over time. The limitations of this connection compromise theability of the wireless router to adequately service VoIP calls, evenwhen the wireless router's serviced WLAN has sufficient capacity. Suchis the case because VoIP calls typically require a minimum of 64 Kbpsfor satisfactory service. When the broadband connection is a DSLconnection at 384 kbps, for example, this limitation is even morepronounced.

Thus, there is a need in the art for improvements in the operation andmanagement of WLAN devices, including wireless routers, when servicingVoIP calls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a communication systemconstructed and operating according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating a plurality of wireless routersand their connection to a broadband network;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless router constructed andoperating according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal that servicesVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) operations according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless routeraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation according to the presentinvention in handing over a VoIP call from a cellular network to a WLAN;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation according to the presentinvention in servicing both WLAN and broadband encryption schemes;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the manner in which WLANencryption schemes and broadband encryption schemes are servicedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless routeraccording to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless routeraccording to still another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating one technique for collecting informationregarding a wireless router's prior servicing of VoIP calls according tothe present invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are graphs illustrating one technique for collectinginformation regarding the wireless router's capability of servicing aVoIP call with an acceptable service quality level; and

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating information collected by a wirelessrouter and used to determine at least one preferred channel forservicing a VoIP call.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Provided is a wireless router services Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) calls by cooperatively interacting with other system components.The wireless router establishes a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)that supports wireless communications within a WLAN service area. Thewireless router then establishes broadband communications via abroadband connection with a VoIP service accumulator. The wirelessrouter then services a plurality of wireless terminals within the WLANservice area, the plurality of wireless terminals including at least oneVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireless terminal.

In its operations, the wireless router receives a query from the VoIPservice accumulator requesting information regarding the wirelessrouter's prior servicing of VoIP calls. In response, the wireless routerresponds to the VoIP service accumulator with information regarding thewireless router's prior servicing of VoIP calls. The wireless router andthe VoIP service accumulator subsequently service VoIP calls within theWLAN based upon the information regarding the wireless router's priorservicing of VoIP calls. Such servicing may include limiting thewireless router's servicing of VoIP calls based upon this information.

The information regarding the wireless router's prior servicing of VoIPcalls indicates a percentage of a prior period during which the wirelessrouter serviced at least one VoIP call. In another aspect, theinformation indicates a percentage of a prior period during which thewireless router serviced a VoIP call with adequate service quality. Instill another aspect, the information indicates a percentage of a priorperiod during which the wireless router serviced a VoIP call withinadequate service quality.

In a further aspect, the wireless router receives a query from the VoIPservice accumulator requesting information regarding the wirelessrouter's capability of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable servicequality level. In response, the wireless router responds to the VoIPservice accumulator with information regarding the wireless router'scapability of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service qualitylevel. The information regarding the wireless router's capability ofservicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service quality, for example,indicates a percentage of a prior period during which the wirelessrouter was capable of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable servicequality level. In another example, this information indicates apercentage of a prior period during which the wireless router wasincapable of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service qualitylevel.

A cable modem network may service the broadband connection. In thisinstance, the VoIP service accumulator may be an element of the cablemodem network. In other instances, the broadband connection is awireless connection such as a fixed wireless connection, a cellularnetwork connection, or a microwave connection. In still other instances,the broadband connection may be an optical connection, a DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL) connection, a DSL2 connection, an Asymmetric DSL(ADSL) connection, or an ADSL2 connection. In each of these, the VoIPservice accumulator is typically an element within the servicingbroadband network.

The method may further include the wireless router determining that acellular network is servicing the VoIP call. In such a case, thewireless network also determines that the VoIP wireless terminal hasroamed into the WLAN service area. When these determinations are made,the wireless router may determine that handover of the VoIP call to theWLAN is desired and interact with the cellular network to servicehandover the VoIP call from the cellular network to the WLAN.

A method may include the wireless router scanning through supportedWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) channels to determine at least onepreferred channel for servicing a VoIP call and the wireless routersubsequently using the at least one preferred channel for servicing theVoIP call. The method may also include sending a bandwidth reservationrequest to the VoIP service accumulator to reserve capacity on thebroadband connection for servicing of the VoIP call and receiving abandwidth reservation response from the VoIP service accumulator toconfirm reservation of capacity on the broadband connection forservicing of the VoIP call.

The wireless router typically includes a Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN) interface, a broadband interface, and a processing unitcommunicatively coupled to the WLAN interface and to the broadbandinterface. The wireless router further includes memory, internalinterfaces, and other internal components. The wireless router mayfurther include an encryption/decryption accelerator used in servicingthe broadband encryption scheme corresponding to the broadbandconnection.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a communication system 100constructed and operating according to the present invention. As shownin FIG. 1 the system 100 supports

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communications within at least oneWLAN service area wireless routers 102 and 104 each service wirelessWLAN communications for respective WLAN service areas. Wireless router102 supports WLAN communications with wireless terminal 114A, wirelessterminal 116A (laptop computer), and wireless terminal 118B (desktopcomputer). Likewise, wireless router 104 supports WLAN communicationswithin its respective WLAN service area. In supporting WLANcommunications, wireless router 104 supports wireless communicationswith wireless terminals 114B, 116B, and 118B. As the reader willappreciate, the numbers and types of wireless terminals that may besupported by the wireless routers 102 and 104 vary frominstallation-to-installation.

Wireless routers 102 and 104 support WLAN communications according to astandardized communication protocol. The WLAN communication protocol maybe one or more of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE802.11n, and/or another WLAN communication standard. Further, wirelessrouter 102 may support Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)communications via the Bluetooth communication standard, the IEEE 802.15standard, or another communication standard.

Each of wireless routers 102 and 104 couples to a broadband network viaa broadband connection. In a first embodiment, a wired broadband network106 services the broadband connections for the wireless routers 102 and104. The broadband network 106 may be a cable modem network or anotherwired network that provides the broadband connection, for example, a DSLconnection, a DSL2 connection, an ADSL connection, or an ADSL2connection, for example. In another embodiment, a wireless broadbandnetwork 108 services the broadband connections for the wireless routers102 and 104. In such case, the wireless broadband network 108 may be acellular wireless network that provides high speed data service, forexample, Code Division Multiplex Access 2000 (CDMA2000), UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), etc., a microwave network, afixed wireless network, or another wireless connection. Stillalternately, the broadband connection may be serviced via an opticalnetwork. In still another embodiment, the wired broadband network 106services one broadband connection while the wireless broadband network108 services another broadband connection. In any case, the WLAN VoIPservice accumulator 120 will typically be an element of, or coupled tothe wired broadband network 106 and/or the wireless broadband network108.

The wireless routers 102 and/or 104, the broadband networks 106 and/or108, a WLAN Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) voice accumulator 120,and the Internet 110 (among other components) service VoIP calls forwireless terminals 114A, 114B, 116A, 116B, 118A, and 118B. The wirelessrouters 102 and 104 determine particular needs of the wireless terminals114A, 114B, 116A, 116B, 118A, and 118B and service the VoIP callsaccordingly. The wireless routers 102 and 104 operate in cooperationwith the WLAN VoIP service accumulator 120 to meet these needs. Theseoperations will be described further herein with reference to FIGS. 2-8.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one ofthe wireless terminals has dual wireless interfaces. One of the wirelessinterfaces allows a wireless terminal to interface with a cellularnetwork 112 while another of the wireless interfaces allows the wirelessterminal to interface with one of the wireless routers 102 and 104.Operation according to the present invention includes handing over aVoIP call from the cellular network 112 to a WLAN serviced by eitherwireless router 102 or 104. Another operation includes handing over aVoIP call serviced by wireless router 102 or 104 to the cellular network112.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating a plurality of wireless routersand their connection to a broadband network. Each of wireless routers202A-202E services a corresponding WLAN service area 204A-204E,respectively. Each of the wireless routers 202A-202E couples to WLANVoIP service accumulator 120 via wired broadband network 106. In analternate embodiment, one or more of the wireless routers 202A-202Ecouples to the WLAN VoIP service accumulator 120 via a wirelessbroadband network 108 (as illustrated in FIG. 1). In combination, theWLAN service areas 204A-204E form a combined WLAN service area asillustrated. According to some aspects of the present embodiment, theWLAN VoIP service accumulator 120 works in conjunction with the wirelessrouter 202A-202E to provide wireless service in the combined WLANservice area formed by the plurality of individual WLAN service areas204A-204E.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless router constructed andoperating according to the present embodiment. The wireless router 102(104, 202A-202E) includes a processing unit 304, Dynamic Random AccessMemory (DRAM) 306, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) 308, ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory (EPROM) 310, and storage 312. Theprocessing unit 304 may be a microprocessor, a digital signal processor,a collection of microprocessors and/or digital signal processors, and/orany type of processing unit that is known to be able to execute softwareinstructions and interface with other components. The DRAM 306, SRAM308, and EPROM 310 are examples of types of memory that may be used inconjunction with the processing unit 304. The storage 312 may behard-disk storage, tape storage, optical storage, or other types ofstorage that stores digital information that may be operated upon orexecuted by processing unit 304.

Wireless router instructions (HWRI) 316 are stored in storage 312 andexecuted by processing unit 304 as HWRI 314. During certain portions oftheir execution, HWRI 316 may be written to one or more of DRAM 306,SRAM 308, and/or EPROM 310 prior to loading into the processing unit 304as HWRI 314. The storage, loading, and execution of softwareinstructions are generally known and will not be described furtherherein, except as it relates particularly to the operations of thepresent embodiment.

The processing unit 304, DRAM 306, SRAM 308, EPROM 310, and storage 312intercouple via one or more processor buses 320. Processor bus 320couples to peripheral bus 322 via interface 318. Coupled to peripheralbus 322 are wired broadband interface 324, WLAN interface 326, WPANinterface 330, and other components that may be present in variousembodiments of the wireless router. The wired broadband interface 324interfaces to the broadband connection, which couples the wirelessrouter 102 to a broadband network, for example, a cable network, anoptical network, or another type of broadband network. The wirelessrouter 102 may also/alternatively include a wireless broadband networkinterface 328 and antenna 340 that provide a broadband wirelessconnection to a wireless broadband network.

The WLAN interface 326 couples to antenna 338 and services the WLANwithin a WLAN service area of the wireless router 102, as previouslydescribed with reference to FIG. 2. The WLAN interface 326, as waspreviously described, supports one or more of various WLAN protocolstandards. Such protocol standards may include the IEEE 802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, and/or IEEE 802.11n protocol standards. Thewireless router 102 may further include the WPAN interface 330 thatservices a WPAN network about the wireless router 102. The WPANinterface 330 services the Bluetooth protocol standard, the IEEE 802.15protocol standard, or another similar standard.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the wireless router102 services multiple types of encryption and decryption operations.Particularly, the wireless router 102 supports WLAN encryptionoperations for serviced VoIP wireless terminals and broadband encryptionoperations for the broadband network. Thus, in some embodiments, thewireless router 102 includes a hardware encryption/decryptionaccelerator 344 for servicing the WLAN encryption operations and/or thebroadband encryption/decryption operations. In some cases, theprocessing unit 304 services the WLAN encryption/decryption operationsand/or the broadband encryption operations.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal that servicesVoIP operations according to the present embodiment. The VoIP wirelessterminal 400 includes a WLAN interface 404 and may include a cellularinterface 402. The WLAN interface 404 couples to antenna 408 andservices WLAN communications with a wireless router 102 or 104 asillustrated in FIG. 1. The cellular interface 402 and antenna 406service communications with a cellular network 112 as illustrated inFIG. 1. Depending upon the particular construct of the VoIP wirelessterminal 400, the cellular interface 402 may support a TDMA standard,for example, IS-136, GSM, et cetera, a CDMA standard, for example,IS-95A, IS-95B, 1XRTT, 1XEV-DO, 1XEV-DV, et cetera, or another cellularinterface standard.

The VoIP wireless terminal 400 further includes a processing unit 410,memory 412, a user interface 416, and a battery 418. The processing unitmay be a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a combination of amicroprocessor and digital signal processor or another type ofprocessing device. The memory 412 may be SRAM, DRAM, or another type ofmemory that is generally known. Stored in memory 412 are WirelessTerminal Instructions (WTIs) that are loaded into processing unit 410for execution. These WTIs 414 may include WLAN and/or broadbandencryption algorithm operations according to the present embodiment, aswell as other instructions that cause the VoIP wireless terminal 400 tosupport VoIP operations. User interface 416 includes the display,keyboard, speaker/microphone, and a data interface. The data interfacemay be a wireless personal area network (WPAN) interface such as theBluetooth interface or an IEEE 802.15 interface. Battery 418 providespower for the components of the VoIP wireless terminal.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless routeraccording to the present embodiment. Operations commence with thewireless router establishing a WLAN within a WLAN service area (step502). Generally, a WLAN is established according to the standardizedprotocol operations set forth in the relevant operating standards, whichhave been previously described. The WLAN service area is typically setupabout the wireless router. Next, operation includes establishingbroadband communications via a broadband connection with a VoIP serviceaccumulator (step 504). This broadband connection will be a wiredconnection, a wireless connection, or an optical connection. As waspreviously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the broadbandconnection may be serviced by a cable modem network, an optical link,etc. Further, the broadband connection may be a wireless point-to-pointconnection.

Operation continues with servicing a plurality of wireless terminalswithin the WLAN service area. Such servicing will include servicing atleast one VoIP wireless terminal in the WLAN service area (step 506).Operation next includes determining that a VoIP wireless terminaldesires VoIP call servicing within the WLAN service area (step 508).Upon making this determination, a bandwidth reservation request is sentfrom the wireless router to the VoIP service accumulator via thebroadband connection. The bandwidth reservation request is made in anattempt to reserve capacity on the broadband connection for servicing ofthe VoIP call of the VoIP wireless terminal (step 510). This bandwidthreservation request may conform to the resource reservation protocol(RSVP) operations. When the data reservation request conforms to theRSVP operations, servicing of the VoIP call for the VoIP wirelessterminal may proceed according to the real batch time to transportprotocol (RTP).

Operation continues in receiving a bandwidth reservation response fromthe VoIP service accumulator to confirm reservation of capacity of thebroadband connection for servicing of the VoIP call (step 512). Again,the operations at step 512 may conform to the RSVP operations and insuch case servicing the call may correspond to the RTP operations.Finally, with the bandwidth on the broadband connection reserved,operation includes servicing the VoIP call for the VoIP wirelessterminal via the WLAN and the broadband connection (step 514). The VoIPcall is serviced until terminated by either the VoIP wireless terminalor the far end VoIP terminal coupled via the Internet 110 or thebroadband network.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the present embodimentin handing over a VoIP call from a cellular network to a WLAN. Theoperation of FIG. 6 commences with a VoIP wireless terminal roamingwithin a WLAN service area of a corresponding wireless router (step602). When the VoIP wireless terminal roams into the WLAN service area,the VoIP wireless terminal registers with the wireless router servicingthe WLAN service area (step 604). When the VoIP terminal roams into aWLAN service area, or at some time thereafter, the VoIP wirelessterminal requests VoIP call service from the WLAN (step 606). Prior toservicing the VoIP call service request, the wireless router determineswhether WLAN and broadband connection capacity is available for suchservicing (step 608). In making this determination, the wireless routermay consider channel usage within the WLAN service area and/or itscurrent broadband connection usage.

If either the WLAN or the broadband connection does not have sufficientcapacity to service the VoIP call, the wireless terminal is deniedaccess to the WLAN for VoIP call servicing. However, if capacity isavailable on both of these segments, the operation of FIG. 5 may beemployed to request capacity on the broadband connection and to begranted capacity on the broadband connection (step 610). With thecapacity of the broadband connection granted, it is next determinedwhether handover of the VoIP call from the cellular network is desired(step 612).

Handover of the VoIP call is only required if an ongoing VoIP call isbeing serviced by the cellular network. When the wireless terminalsimply desires to initiate a VoIP call within the WLAN, no such handoveris required. However, if handover of the VoIP call is required from thecellular network to the WLAN, such operation is completed (step 614). Inorder to handover the VoIP call from the cellular network to WLAN,interaction with the cellular network 112 is required. Interaction withthe cellular network requires signaling between the wireless router anda signaling element of the cellular network 112. This signaling mayalternately be provided by the VoIP service accumulator instead ofdirectly between the wireless router with the cellular network 112. Insuch case, the VoIP service accumulator acts as an agent for thewireless router. When handoff is completed (from step 614) or whenhandoff is not required (from step 612), the wireless router servicesthe VoIP call until completion (step 616). From step 616, operation iscompleted.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation in servicing both WLAN andbroadband encryption schemes. Referring now to FIG. 7, when servicing aVoIP call for a wireless terminal, a particular encryption scheme may beemployed by the VoIP wireless terminal. The WLAN interface of thewireless router will typically support one or more encryption schemes.Currently, WLANs support various WLAN encryption schemes. One particularWLAN encryption scheme is the Wired Equivalency Privacy (WEP) encryptionprotocol. Another WLAN encryption scheme is the Wi-Fi Protected Access(WPA) encryption protocol. The WPA encryption protocol is similar to theIEEE 802.11i encryption protocol, which may be referred to as WPA2. Eachof these WLAN encryption schemes provides some security for WLAN VoIPcalls. These types of WLAN encryption schemes, however, are typicallyless secure than broadband encryption schemes serviced by other types ofcommunication devices. According to one aspect of the presentembodiment, WLAN encryption schemes are supported for WLANcommunications while broadband encryption schemes are supported forcommunications on the broadband connection.

Thus, when the wireless router initially services a VoIP call for a VoIPwireless terminal, the wireless router identifies a WLAN encryptionscheme that the VoIP wireless terminal supports (step 702). In otheroperations, the wireless router will presume a particular WLANencryption scheme that the VoIP wireless terminal supports. The wirelessrouter then determines whether it supports the WLAN encryption scheme ofthe VoIP wireless terminal (step 704). If the wireless router doessupport the WLAN encryption scheme employed by the VoIP wirelessterminal, the wireless router sets up the WLAN encryption scheme forservicing (step 706).

Next, from both step 706 and from a negative determination at step 704,the wireless router optionally requests and is granted capacity on thebroadband connection for servicing of the VoIP call (step 708). Then, inservicing the VoIP call for the VoIP wireless terminal, the wirelessrouter sets up a broadband encryption scheme for subsequentcommunications via the broadband connection (step 710). Finally, thewireless router services the VoIP call until completion using a WLANencryption scheme for the WLAN link and a broadband encryption schemefor the broadband connection (step 712). Thus, WLAN wirelesscommunications between the VoIP wireless terminal and the wirelessrouter are protected by a WLAN encryption scheme while the wiredcommunications and the broadband connection are protected by a broadbandencryption scheme.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the broadband encryption scheme(s) may beimplemented and serviced by the hardware encryption/decryptionaccelerator 344. Further, the processing unit 304 of the wireless router102 via its HWRI 314 may service one or both of the encryption schemes.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the manner in which WLANencryption schemes and broadband encryption schemes. The protocol layeroperations of the VoIP wireless terminal, the wireless router, and abroadband network element, for example, the VoIP service accumulator areillustrated. Protocol layers supported by the VoIP wireless terminalinclude upper layers 802, layers 2 and 3 804, and layer 1 808. In theembodiment of FIG. 8, the WLAN encryption scheme 806 is implemented inlayer 2 and/or layer 3 804 on the VoIP wireless terminal. As waspreviously described, examples of the WLAN encryption scheme are the WEPstandard, the WPA standard, and the 802.11i encryption standard (WPA2),among others.

Layer 1 808 of the VoIP wireless terminal communicates directly withlayer 1 816 of the wireless router via a wireless link of the WLAN. Inservicing WLAN communications, the wireless router includes upperprotocol layers 810, layers 2 and 3 812, and layer 1 816. The WLANencryption scheme 814 serviced by the wireless router resides at layer 2and/or layer 3 812.

Wireless router also includes protocol layers that service broadbandcommunications with the VoIP service accumulator. These protocol layersinclude upper protocol layers 818, layer 2 and 3 820, and layer 1 824.One example of a broadband encryption scheme 822 serviced by thewireless router operates at layer 2 and/or layer 3. The broadbandcommunications between the wireless router and the VoIP serviceaccumulator are via a wired broadband connection, a wireless broadbandconnection, or an optical broadband connection. In communicating withthe wireless router, the VoIP service accumulator includes layer 1 832,layer 2 and layer 3 828, and upper protocol layers 826.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless routeraccording to another aspect of the present invention. Operationscommence with the wireless router establishing a WLAN within a WLANservice area (step 902). Generally, a WLAN is established according tothe standardized protocol operations set forth in the relevant operatingstandards, which have been previously described. The WLAN service areais typically setup about the wireless router. Next, operation includesestablishing broadband communications via a broadband connection with aVoIP service accumulator (step 904). This broadband connection will be awired connection, a wireless connection, or an optical connection. Aswas previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the broadbandconnection may be serviced by a cable modem network, an optical link,etc. Further, the broadband connection may be a wireless point-to-pointconnection or wireless cellular connection.

Operation continues with servicing a plurality of wireless terminalswithin the WLAN service area. Such servicing will include servicing atleast one VoIP wireless terminal in the WLAN service area (step 906).The wireless router then receives a query from the VoIP serviceaccumulator requesting information regarding the wireless router's priorservicing of VoIP calls (step 908). In response to this query, thewireless router gathers such information and prepares a response. Thewireless router then responds to the VoIP service accumulator withinformation regarding the wireless router's prior servicing of VoIPcalls (step 910).

At this time, or at another time, the wireless router may scan throughsupported WLAN channels to determine at least one preferred channel forservicing a VoIP call (step 912). The wireless router may then, basedupon a VoIP call request, request and reserve broadband connectionbandwidth consistent with the operations of FIG. 5 (step 914). Thewireless router and the VoIP service accumulator subsequently serviceVoIP calls within the WLAN based upon the information regarding thewireless router's prior servicing of VoIP calls (step 916). In providingthis service, the wireless router may use the at least one preferredchannel for servicing the VoIP call that was optionally identified atstep 912. Further, based upon the information, the VoIP serviceaccumulator may limit delivery of VoIP calls that would otherwise beterminated by the wireless router.

In the operation of steps 908 and 910, the information regarding thewireless router's prior servicing of VoIP may be a percentage of a priorperiod during which the wireless router serviced at least one VoIP call,a percentage of a prior period during which the wireless router serviceda VoIP call with adequate service quality, or a percentage of a priorperiod during which the wireless router serviced a VoIP call withinadequate service quality. Of course, in other embodiments, the formthat this information takes will differ.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless routeraccording to still another aspect of the present invention. Operationscommence with the wireless router establishing a WLAN within a WLANservice area (step 1002). Generally, a WLAN is established according tothe standardized protocol operations set forth in the relevant operatingstandards, which have been previously described. The WLAN service areais typically setup about the wireless router. Next, operation includesestablishing broadband communications via a broadband connection with aVoIP service accumulator (step 1004).

Operation continues with servicing a plurality of wireless terminalswithin the WLAN service area. Such servicing will include servicing atleast one VoIP wireless terminal in the WLAN service area (step 1006).The wireless router then receives a query from the VoIP serviceaccumulator requesting information regarding the wireless router'scapability of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service qualitylevel (step 1008). In response to this query, the wireless routergathers such information and prepares a response. The wireless routerthen responds to the VoIP service accumulator with information regardingthe wireless router's capability of servicing a VoIP call with anacceptable service quality level (step 1010).

At this time, or at another time, the wireless router may scan throughsupported WLAN channels to determine at least one preferred channel forservicing a VoIP call (step 1012). The wireless router may then, basedupon a VoIP call request, request and reserve broadband connectionbandwidth consistent with the operations of FIG. 5 (step 1014). Thewireless router and the VoIP service accumulator subsequently serviceVoIP calls within the WLAN based upon the information regarding thewireless router's capability of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptableservice quality (step 1016). In providing this service, the wirelessrouter may use the at least one preferred channel for servicing the VoIPcall that was optionally identified at step 1012. Further, based uponthe wireless router's reported ability to service VoIP calls, the VoIPservice accumulator may limit delivery of VoIP calls that wouldotherwise be terminated by the wireless router.

In the operation of steps 1008 and 1010, the information regarding thewireless router's capability of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptableservice quality level is a percentage of a prior period during which thewireless router was capable of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptableservice quality level. In another embodiment, this information includesa percentage of a prior period during which the wireless router wasincapable of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service qualitylevel. Of course, in other embodiments, the form that this informationtakes will differ.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating one technique for collecting informationregarding prior servicing of VoIP calls by a wireless router. Using thistechnique, the wireless router's history of VoIP call servicing istracked and recorded for reporting to the VoIP service accumulator. Asshown, from time T₀ to time T₁ the wireless router services no VoIPcalls, from time T₁ to time T₂ the wireless router services one VoIPcall, and from time T₂ to time T₃ the wireless router services no VoIPcalls Likewise, from time T₃ to time T₄ the wireless router services oneVoIP call, from time T₄ to time T₅ the wireless router services two VoIPcall, and from time T₅ to time T₆ the wireless router services one VoIPcall. Further, from time T₆ to time T₇, the wireless router services twoVoIP calls, from time T₇ to time T₈ the wireless router services oneVoIP call, and from time T₈ to time T₉ the wireless router services oneVoIP call.

By tracking this information over a period, the wireless routerdetermines a percentage of the period during which the wireless routerserviced at least one VoIP call. Further, by measuring the quality ofservice provided for the serviced VoIP calls during this relevantperiod, the wireless router determines a percentage of the period duringwhich the wireless router serviced a VoIP call with adequate servicequality or, alternately, a percentage of the period during which thewireless router serviced a VoIP call with inadequate service quality.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are graphs illustrating one technique for collectinginformation regarding the wireless router's capability of servicing aVoIP call with an acceptable service quality level. Referring to FIG.12A, information regarding excess broadband connection capacity isgraphed over a relevant period. The information regarding excessbroadband connection capacity indicates during what portions of theperiod the broadband connection was capable of servicing a VoIP callwith an acceptable service quality level.

Referring to FIG. 12B, information regarding excess WLAN capacity isgraphed over a relevant period. The information regarding excess WLANcapacity indicates during what portions of the period the WLAN wascapable of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service qualitylevel. By combining the information of FIGS. 12A and 12B over therelevant period, the wireless router determines during what portions ofthe period the wireless router was capable of servicing a VoIP call withan acceptable service quality level. This information may then be usedin subsequent operations and for reporting to the VoIP serviceaccumulator.

In some embodiments, the information regarding the wireless router'scapability of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service qualityindicates a percentage of a prior period during which the wirelessrouter was capable of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable servicequality level. In other embodiments, this information indicates apercentage of a prior period during which the wireless router wasincapable of servicing a VoIP call with an acceptable service qualitylevel.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating information collected by a wirelessrouter and used to determine at least one preferred channel forservicing a VoIP call. As previously described, the wireless router mayscan through its supported WLAN channels, for example, Ch₁, Ch₂ and Ch₃,to determine at least one preferred channel for servicing a VoIP calland the wireless router subsequently using the at least one preferredchannel for servicing the VoIP call. In performing such scanning, thewireless router considers a channel quality metric such as the Signal toNoise Ratio (SNR), the received channel energy, or another metric toindicate the channel quality. This metric of course must be relevant tothe servicing of communications on the channel. This information isgathered over a plurality of time intervals, for example, time interval1, time interval 2, etc. Then, based upon these channel quality metrics,the wireless router determines one or more of the channels that will bepreferred for use in servicing VoIP calls.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (for example, an item includes, but is not limitedto, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, forindirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the informationof a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/orpower level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (that is,where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includesdirect and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as“coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to”or “operably coupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more ofpower connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, whenactivated, one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “module”,“processing circuit”, and/or “processing unit” may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may have anassociated memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/orprocessing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, randomaccess memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that if the processing module, module,processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than oneprocessing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (forexample, directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (for example, cloud computingvia indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide areanetwork). Further note that if the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, theboundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarilydefined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could bedefined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriatelyperformed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarilydefined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To theextent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could havebeen defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the artwill also recognize that the functional building blocks, and otherillustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implementedas illustrated or by discrete components, application specificintegrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and thelike or any combination thereof.

The present invention may have also been described, at least in part, interms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present inventionis used herein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, afeature thereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. Aphysical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, amachine, and/or of a process that embodies the present invention mayinclude one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc.described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussedherein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporatethe same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may usethe same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions,steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps,modules, etc. or different ones.

The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to various modificationsand alternative forms. Specific embodiments therefore have been shown byway of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the drawings and description thereto are notintended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but onthe contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalentsand alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method in a wireless router for servicing atleast one Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireless terminal, themethod comprising: receiving a query from a VoIP service accumulatorrequesting information regarding prior servicing of VoIP calls by thewireless router; responding to the query from the VoIP serviceaccumulator with information regarding prior servicing of VoIP calls bythe wireless router, the information including a bandwidth reservationrequest to the VoIP service accumulator to reserve capacity on abroadband connection for servicing of a VoIP call; receiving a bandwidthreservation response from the VoIP service accumulator to confirmreservation of capacity on the broadband connection for servicing theVoIP call; and servicing, via the VoIP service accumulator, the VoIPcall based upon the information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theinformation regarding the prior servicing of VoIP calls by the wirelessrouter comprises at least one of: a percentage of a prior period duringwhich the wireless router serviced at least one VoIP call; a percentageof a prior period during which the wireless router serviced the at leastone VoIP call with adequate service quality; and a percentage of a priorperiod during which the wireless router serviced the at least one VoIPcall with inadequate service quality.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: scanning through supported WLAN channels to determine atleast one preferred channel for servicing the VoIP call; andsubsequently using the at least one preferred channel for servicing theVoIP call.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the broadband connectionis serviced by a cable modem network; and the VoIP service accumulatoris an element of the cable modem network.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the broadband connection is a wireless-based connectionincluding at least one of a cellular network connection, a microwaveconnection, and a fixed wireless connection.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the broadband connection is a wired connection including atleast one of a Direct Subscriber Line (DSL) connection, a DSL2connection, an Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) connection, and an ADSL2connection.
 7. The method claim 1, further comprising: determining thatthe at least one VoIP wireless terminal desires VoIP call servicing;determining that the VoIP call is being serviced by a cellular network;determining that the at least one VoIP wireless terminal has roamed intoa WLAN service area serviced by the wireless router; determining thathandover of the VoIP call to the WLAN service area is desired; andhanding over the VoIP call from the cellular network to the WLAN servicearea.
 8. A method in a wireless router for servicing a plurality ofwireless terminals within a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) servicearea, the plurality of wireless terminals including at least one Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireless terminal, the method comprising:receiving a query from a VoIP service accumulator requesting informationregarding a capability of the wireless router to service a VoIP callwith an acceptable service quality level, the VoIP service accumulatorassociated with a broadband connection capable of supporting broadbandcommunications; responding to the VoIP service accumulator query withinformation regarding the capability of the wireless router to servicethe VoIP call within the acceptable service quality level; andservicing, via the VoIP service accumulator, the VoIP call within theWLAN service area based upon the information regarding the capability ofthe wireless router to service the VoIP call within the acceptableservice quality.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the informationregarding the capability of the wireless router to service the VoIP callwith an acceptable service quality level comprises at least one of: apercentage of a prior period during which the wireless router wascapable of servicing a VoIP call with the acceptable service qualitylevel; and a percentage of a prior period during which the wirelessrouter was incapable of servicing a VoIP call with the acceptableservice quality level.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:scanning through supported WLAN channels of the WLAN service area todetermine at least one preferred channel for servicing the VoIP call;and subsequently using the at least one preferred channel for servicingthe VoIP call.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the broadbandconnection comprises a wireless-based connection including at least oneof a cellular network connection, a microwave connection, and a fixedwireless connection.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the broadbandconnection comprises a wired connection including at least one of aDirect Subscriber Line (DSL) connection, a DSL2 connection, anAsymmetric DSL (ADSL) connection, and an ADSL2 connection.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: limiting access to the WLANservice area to adequately service the VoIP call based upon theacceptable service quality level.
 14. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: determining that the at least one VoIP wireless terminaldesires VoIP call servicing; sending a bandwidth reservation request tothe VoIP service accumulator to reserve capacity on the broadbandconnection for servicing of the VoIP call; receiving a bandwidthreservation response from the VoIP service accumulator to confirmreservation of capacity on the broadband connection for servicing of theVoIP call; and servicing the VoIP call for the at least one VoIPwireless terminal via the WLAN service area and the broadbandconnection.
 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determiningthat the at least one VoIP wireless terminal desires VoIP callservicing; determining that the at least one VoIP call is being servicedby a cellular network; determining that the at least one VoIP wirelessterminal has roamed into the WLAN service area; determining thathandover of the VoIP call to the WLAN service area is desired; andhanding over the VoIP call from the cellular network to the WLAN servicearea.
 16. The method of claim 8, further comprising: sending a bandwidthreservation request to the VoIP service accumulator to reserve capacityon the broadband connection for servicing of the VoIP call; andreceiving a bandwidth reservation response from the VoIP serviceaccumulator to confirm reservation of capacity on the broadbandconnection for servicing of the VoIP call.
 17. A wireless routercomprising: a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface; a broadbandinterface; and a processing unit communicatively coupled to the WLANinterface and to the broadband interface, wherein the processing unit isoperable to: direct the WLAN interface to service a plurality ofwireless terminals within a WLAN service area, the plurality of wirelessterminals including at least one Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)wireless terminal; direct the broadband interface to establish broadbandcommunications with a VoIP service accumulator via a broadbandconnection; receive a query from the VoIP service accumulator requestinginformation regarding prior servicing of VoIP calls by the wirelessrouter; respond to the VoIP service accumulator with informationregarding the prior servicing of the VoIP calls by the wireless router;direct the WLAN interface to scan through supported WLAN channels of theWLAN service area to determine at least one preferred channel forservicing a VoIP call; direct the WLAN interface to subsequently use theat least one preferred channel to service the VoIP call; and direct theWLAN interface and the broadband interface to service the VoIP call forthe at least one VoIP wireless terminal via the WLAN service area andthe broadband connection based upon the information.
 18. The wirelessrouter of claim 17, wherein the information regarding the priorservicing of the VoIP calls by the wireless router comprises at leastone of: a percentage of a prior period during which the wireless routerserviced at least one VoIP call of the VoIP calls; a percentage of aprior period during which the wireless router serviced the VoIP callswith adequate service quality; and a percentage of a prior period duringwhich the wireless router serviced the VoIP calls with inadequateservice quality.
 19. The wireless router of claim 17, wherein theprocessing unit is further operable to: determine that the at least oneVoIP wireless terminal desires VoIP call servicing; send a bandwidthreservation request to the VoIP service accumulator to reserve capacityon the broadband connection for servicing of the VoIP call; receive abandwidth reservation response from the VoIP service accumulator toconfirm reservation of capacity on the broadband connection forservicing of the VoIP call; and service the VoIP call for the at leastone VoIP wireless terminal via the WLAN service area and the broadbandconnection.
 20. The wireless router of claim 17, wherein the processingunit is further operable to: determine that the at least one VoIPwireless terminal desires VoIP call servicing; determine that the atleast one VoIP call is being serviced by a cellular network; determinethat the at least one VoIP wireless terminal has roamed into the WLANservice area; determine that handover of the VoIP call to the WLANservice area is desired; and hand over the VoIP call from the cellularnetwork to the WLAN service area.